New Year Resolutions

INTRODUCTION:

This is a time time of the year when a lot of people make vows or resolutions.

A “vow” is simply a promise or an express desire of our determination to do better for the Lord.

Debra and I made vows when we got married

People often make vows when they take office, often with an oath.

The making of holy vows unto the Lord is scriptural.

In we read, “Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God.”

Psalm 76:11 NKJV

11 Make vows to the Lord your God, and pay them; Let all who are around Him bring presents to Him who ought to be feared.

These resolutions and vows that we make are holy and ought not to be taken lightly

in fact, so many people these days make promises flippantly, without any regard to whether or not they will fulfill them

they make promises with intentions of keeping them, but when circumstances are difficult;t or change, so does their Word.

The bible teaches that we should not do so: (eccl. 5:4-7)

Ecclesiastes 5:4–5 NKJV

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed— 5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.

Ecclesiastes 5:4–7 NKJV

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed— 5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. 6 Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.

Nevertheless, we have many examples in the bible of people making vows before God, and each other in His name.

These resolutions themselves do not save us, or make us acceptable to God

However, there is tremendous value in them, in helping us grow to be the men and women we ought to be.

Once I have made a clear resolution in my life, I don’t have to go back and make that choice again, each time the wind blows, or with each new temptation.

A resolution is a quality decision of faith: No more discussion. No turning back

Like our resolution to tithe

our resolution to follow Jesus

Lets look at some of the Resolutions of Bible Characters

Resolutions of Bible Characters

I. Introduction

A. Resolution Time Again

1. Doing better cannot save us

2. Works do not commend us to God

C. The Value of Resolutions

1. It is good to set goals for ourselves

2. Resolutions of Bible characters

3. Let’s examine some Bible resolutions

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1. Conditions under which the resolution was made

Conditions under which the resolution was made

a. Jacob fleeing from Esau because he has defrauded him

Jacob was fleeing from Esau because he has cheated him

b. A resolution made when he has little to give

He made A resolution made when he had little to give

Genesis 28:20–22 NKJV

20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, 21 so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. 22 And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”

Genesis 28:21–22 NKJV

21 so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. 22 And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”

2. Some thoughts about tithing

Some thoughts about tithing

a. Abraham commenced it ()

Abraham commenced it ()

b. Jacob continued it ()

Jacob continued it ()

c. Malachi commanded it ()

In Malachi God commanded it ()

Malachi commanded it ()

d. Jesus commended it ()

Jesus commended it ()

3. Does tithing apply to Christians?

Does tithing apply to Christians?

It is clear we are to give a portion of our income ()

a. It is clear we are to give a portion of our income ()

It is clear we are to give a portion of our income ()

Notice that tithing began before the law was given

b. Notice that tithing began before the law was given

This is one of the easiest places to let down

4. This is one of the easiest places to let down

no one knows, no one asks, no one pushes

It also is one of the most practical areas to prove faith

5. It also is one of the most practical areas to prove faith

Note the challenge of

6. Note the challenge of

See how the Lord rewarded Jacob ()

7. See how the Lord rewarded Jacob ()

Not only was Jacob protected, he became very wealthy and had great possessions.

B. David’s Resolutions Concerning God’s Word ()

Psalm 119:15–16 NKJV

15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. 16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

psa

“I will meditate in thy precepts”

a. The importance of meditating on God’s Word

The importance of meditating on God’s Word - Think about what you read

b. “For as he thinketh in his heart so is he” ()

“For as he thinketh in his heart so is he” ()

Taking God’s Word into our minds on a regular basis will transform your life

c. Taking God’s Word into our minds on a regular basis

“I will delight myself in thy statues”

2. “I will delight myself in thy statues”

a. Not to be drudgery, but daily delight

Not to be drudgery, but daily delight

Like a love letter from the Lord

b. Like a love letter from the Lord

“I will not forget thy word”

3. “I will not forget thy word”

a. This calls for memorization

This calls for memorization

b. Memorization of the Bible is not just for children

Memorization of the Bible is not just for children

c. Why not begin to memorize verses each week this year?

Why not begin to memorize verses each week this year?

4. The value of a resolve to read the Bible through this year

The value of a resolve to read the Bible through this year

a. Three chapters daily gets us through the Bible in a year

b. Reading three chapters on weekdays and five on Sunday will also help us cover the whole Bible

C. Daniel’s Resolution Concerning a Clean Life ()

Daniel 1:8 NKJV

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

8

The testimony of a teenager (probably 15 years old)

The testimony of a teenager (15 years old)

a. His country taken by a foreign power

His country taken by a foreign power

b. He had been chosen to study at the palace

He had been chosen to study at the palace

2. Decided in his heart to dare to be different

He Decided in his heart to dare to be different

3. So easy to just go along with the crowd

Would have been So easy to just go along with the crowd

4. The word “defile” means to soil or pollute

The word “defile” means to soil or pollute

5. Plenty of pollution around today

Plenty of pollution around today

a. Plenty of reading material that defiles

Plenty of reading material that defiles

b. Plenty of viewing material that defiles

Plenty of viewing media that defiles

6. A decision for holiness of life will go against the flesh

A decision for holiness of life will go against the flesh

7. Holy living always pays dividends

Holy living always pays dividends

There are many other examples in the bible of vows and resolutions

VOWS OF SEPARATION

Separation from sin unto the Saviour is a Bible doctrine. No Christian can be an obedient servant of the Lord who does not live a separated life. Daniel was a separated Christian.

I. A VOW OF SEPARATION

A VOW OF SERVICE

A. Separation from sin unto the Saviour is a Bible doctrine. No Christian can be an obedient servant of the Lord who does not live a separated life. Daniel was a separated Christian. , “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.

II. A VOW OF SERVICE

For all our duties to God, there is a definite pattern clearly laid out for us in Holy Scripture. This is true about salvation, consecration, giving, and service. Make a vow. Promise God with real determination that you will put first things first.

A. For all our duties to God, there is a definite pattern clearly laid out for us in Holy Scripture. This is true about salvation, consecration, giving, and service. Make a vow. Promise God with real determination that you will put first things first.

A VOW OF SALVATION

III. A VOW OF STEWARDSHIP

No person is a “good Christian” who fails God in stewardship. In Genesis, chapter 28, Jacob made a holy vow concerning the tithe: “And Jacob vowed a vow saying, of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.” Make a vow today that you will be honest with God and honor Him with your tithes and offerings.

A. No person is a “good Christian” who fails God in stewardship. In Genesis, chapter 28, Jacob made a holy vow concerning the tithe: “And Jacob vowed a vow saying, of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.” Make a vow today that you will be honest with God and honor Him with your tithes and offerings.

Remember the prodigal son. The son was “dead” and also “lost” . The prodigal son was lost and was made to realize the futility of his condition. It was not until he was willing to say, “I will arise and go to my father” that he became a new person in the Lord. “He made a solemn vow, “I will arise and go to my father”! Lost friend, make the same vow that this young man made.

IV. A VOW OF SALVATION

A. Let me call your attention to . Regardless of what we believe about every aspect of this story, we must acknowledge that the son was “dead” and also “lost” (vs. 24). The prodigal son was lost and was made to realize the futility of his condition. It was not until he was willing to say, “I will arise and go to my father” that he became a new person in the Lord. “He made a solemn vow, “I will arise and go to my father”! Lost friend, make the same vow that this young man made.

Conclusion

III. Conclusion

What are Your Resolutions for Christ Today and for the rest of your life?

B. Think of the Impact these could make on the New Year

Think of the Impact these could make on the New Year

Men’s Resolution:

Some of the men in our

Some of the men in our church have decided to start this new year with a Resolution, and with a public proclamation of this resolution. I would like to invite those of you who are participating in this ceremony top come forward now.

These men, having been inspired by a Christian movie, have thought out this resolution and their intentions and wish to make a public resolution, or vow before their families, and this church, and God. A vow to be Godly men, and take responsibility for their lives and their families, and the to live before the Lord.

As I mentioned earlier during the message a resolution such as this can be a powerful and a wonderful thing. A point in your life, a marker that you can look to and recall, a turning point, and place to build from. But it should never be taken lightly, as we also mentioned from the scripture, that it would be better not to make a vow than to make a vow and not keep it.

New Year’s Resolutions

Text:

At this time of the year, we are especially conscious of vows or resolutions which we have made. A “vow” is simply a promise or an express desire of our determination to do better for the Lord. The making of holy vows unto the Lord is scriptural. In we read, “Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God.”

So Men (Names) Is it your intention to make this resolution before your families and this church and the Lord Jesus Christ today?

A. Separation from sin unto the Saviour is a Bible doctrine. No Christian can be an obedient servant of the Lord who does not live a separated life. Daniel was a separated Christian. , “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.

II. A VOW OF SERVICE

A. For all our duties to God, there is a definite pattern clearly laid out for us in Holy Scripture. This is true about salvation, consecration, giving, and service. Make a vow. Promise God with real determination that you will put first things first.

III. A VOW OF STEWARDSHIP

The please repeat this after me:

A. No person is a “good Christian” who fails God in stewardship. In Genesis, chapter 28, Jacob made a holy vow concerning the tithe: “And Jacob vowed a vow saying, of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.” Make a vow today that you will be honest with God and honor Him with your tithes and offerings.

IV. A VOW OF SALVATION

A. Let me call your attention to . Regardless of what we believe about every aspect of this story, we must acknowledge that the son was “dead” and also “lost” (vs. 24). The prodigal son was lost and was made to realize the futility of his condition. It was not until he was willing to say, “I will arise and go to my father” that he became a new person in the Lord. “He made a solemn vow, “I will arise and go to my father”! Lost friend, make the same vow that this young man made.

I (state your name) do solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife, and my children. •

I WILL love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them the Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home. •

I WILL be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her, and be wiling to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me. •

I WILL bless my children and teach them to love God with all of their hearts, all of their minds, and all of their strength. •

I WILL train them to honor authority and live responsibly.

•I WILL confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.

•I WILL pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect, and compassion.

•I WILL work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.

•I WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged.

•I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.

•I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word, and do His will.

•I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. –

New Year Resolutions

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Jacob’s Resolution to Give his Tithe

Some thoughts about tithing

David’s Resolutions Concerning God’s Word

Daniel’s Resolution Concerning a Clean Life